Education & Skills: The OECD’s PISA 2025 results show reading and maths falling to record lows across OECD countries, with average reading down 28 points since 2015 and maths down 22, and one in five 15-year-olds now performing at low levels in science, maths and reading. Local Education Policy: Portugal’s prime minister Luís Montenegro says education has “lost quality” and points to PISA declines, citing steps like stricter mobile-phone rules in schools, curriculum changes, and more focus on teacher recognition and school refurbishment. Digital Finance in the Region: Albania’s first branchless digital bank, Jet Bank, is positioning for deeper EU integration as Brussels rewrites payments rules and pushes digital identity wallets, with SEPA cross-border euro payments planned as the country aligns with European standards. Cybersecurity & AI Governance: Microsoft says its Secure Future Initiative is improving security culture after major hacks, while a separate report highlights new legal risks as expert witnesses use ChatGPT to draft opinions—raising questions about disclosure and how AI-written material should be handled in court. Water & Security in the Balkans: Analysis argues transboundary rivers are becoming geopolitical assets, warning against unilateral water diversions and calling for a regional “water pact” with shared data and joint impact assessments. Montenegro in Focus: Montenegro’s president Jakov Milatović is on a state visit to Mongolia, with both sides signing a joint declaration to expand cooperation in trade, education, science, and climate. Online Gambling: A study estimates Europe’s illegal online gambling market hit about €12bn in 2025, driven by regulatory friction and state monopolies.